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[ REPAIR GUIDE ] WI-FI AND INTERNET

How to fix "DNS server not responding"

ERROR DETECTED >The DNS server isn't responding

UPDATED NOVEMBER 20263 MIN READ8 FIXES

QUICK FIX

Restart your modem and router, then flush your device's DNS cache (on Windows, run ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt). If it still fails, turn off any VPN and try a public DNS service such as Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).

What it means

DNS is the internet's address book: it turns names like example.com into the numeric addresses computers use. Windows Network Diagnostics reports "The DNS server isn't responding" when your device asked for an address but got no answer, so websites won't load even though Wi-Fi or Ethernet shows connected. The cause is usually the router, the provider's DNS service, or a setting on your device.

Common causes

  • The router or modem needs a restart
  • Your internet provider's DNS servers are having problems
  • A stale DNS cache or wrong DNS setting on your device
  • A VPN, proxy or security app interfering with DNS
  • No working internet connection at all (for example a provider outage)
  • An out-of-date network driver

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

FIX 01Restart the modem and routerEASY

  1. Unplug the router, then the modem.
  2. Wait about 30 seconds.
  3. Plug in the modem first and wait for its lights to settle.
  4. Plug in the router, wait a few minutes, then try a website again.

Why it helps: Most home networks use the router for DNS, and a restart clears its glitches.

FIX 02Try another device or browserEASY

  1. Open a website on another phone or computer on the same network.
  2. If no device can load websites, the router or provider is the problem.
  3. If only one device fails, focus on that device.
  4. Try a different browser on the same device to rule out a browser problem.

Why it helps: This tells you whether the problem is the network or one device.

FIX 03Turn off VPN and proxyEASY

  1. Disconnect any VPN app.
  2. Windows 11: open Settings > Network & internet > Proxy and turn off any manual proxy you did not set on purpose.
  3. If a security app has a web protection or DNS feature, turn it off temporarily to test, then turn it back on.

Why it helps: VPNs, proxies and some security tools send DNS requests elsewhere, which can fail.

FIX 04Flush DNS and renew the IP on WindowsMEDIUM

  1. Select Search, type Command Prompt, choose Run as administrator, then Yes.
  2. Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
  3. Type ipconfig /release and press Enter, then ipconfig /renew and press Enter.
  4. If that doesn't help, also run netsh winsock reset and netsh int ip reset, then restart the PC.

Why it helps: Clearing the DNS cache and getting a fresh address fixes stale or bad DNS data.

FIX 05Run the built-in troubleshooterEASY

  1. Windows 11: open the Get Help app and run the Network and Internet troubleshooter.
  2. Mac: hold Option, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, and choose Open Wireless Diagnostics.
  3. Apply any fixes it suggests.

Why it helps: The troubleshooters can detect and reset DNS and adapter problems.

FIX 06Switch to a public DNS serviceMEDIUM

  1. Write down your current DNS settings first so you can change them back.
  2. Windows 11: open Settings > Network & internet, choose Wi-Fi and then your network's properties, or choose Ethernet. Select Edit next to DNS server assignment, choose Manual, turn on IPv4, and enter 8.8.8.8 in Preferred DNS and 8.8.4.4 in Alternate DNS (Google Public DNS). Select Save.
  3. Mac: choose Apple menu > System Settings > Network, select your connection, click Details, then DNS, and add the addresses with the + button. Click OK.
  4. iPhone: Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info button next to your network, tap Configure DNS, choose Manual, add the servers, and tap Save.
  5. Android: open Settings and search for Private DNS (on Pixel it is under Network & internet), choose Private DNS provider hostname, enter dns.google, and tap Save. Note that a VPN overrides this setting.
  6. To undo it later, set DNS back to Automatic.

Why it helps: If your provider's or router's DNS is down, a different DNS service can answer instead.

FIX 07Update the network driverADVANCED

  1. Run Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates and install any network driver updates offered.
  2. If problems continue, download the latest network driver from your PC maker's website.
  3. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your adapter, choose Uninstall device, check Attempt to remove the driver for this device, and select Uninstall.
  4. Restart the PC; Windows should reinstall the driver. If not, install the one you downloaded.

Why it helps: A faulty network driver can stop DNS requests from getting through.

FIX 08Reset network settingsADVANCED

  1. Warning: this removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, and you may need to reinstall VPN software.
  2. Windows 11: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset, then Reset now and Yes.
  3. iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
  4. Android (Pixel): Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Bluetooth & Wi-Fi.
  5. Reconnect to your network and test.

Why it helps: A full reset clears DNS and adapter settings that other fixes don't.

Check it's fixed

  • Websites load normally in your browser.
  • On Windows, nslookup example.com in Command Prompt returns an address instead of a timeout.
  • The Windows troubleshooter no longer reports a DNS problem.

When to get help

If no device in the home can load websites even after a router restart and a DNS change, contact your internet provider, since the connection itself may be down. On a work or school network, contact IT before changing DNS settings.

Questions

What does "DNS server not responding" mean?

Your device asked a DNS server to look up a website's address and got no reply, so it can't find the site.

Is it safe to change my DNS server?

Yes, changing DNS on your own device is a normal setting. Write down your old settings first so you can switch back, and don't change DNS on work or school devices without asking IT.

Will flushing DNS delete anything important?

No. It only clears the saved list of website addresses, which your computer rebuilds automatically.

Related fixes

Wi-Fi connected but no internet: how to fix itCheck whether other devices also have no internet. If they do, restart the modem and router and check for a provider outage; if only one devHow to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAINCheck the address for typos, then restart your router and flush your DNS cache. If the name is correct and still fails, switch to a differenHow to fix ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVEDCheck the spelling of the address, then restart your router and flush the DNS cache. If it still fails, switch to a different DNS server.Why is my internet not working?Check whether other devices are also offline. If they are, restart your modem and router and check your provider for an outage; if only one How to reset your router (restart or factory reset)Unplug the router and the modem from power, wait about 30 seconds, plug the modem back in first and wait for its lights to settle, then plug

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